East Seymour, MA was Mike's first shop... he then moved to his longtime shop in Rockland, about 50 mins west of Boston...think he had another shop, but not sure
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Absolutely correct... AARP moment... how the hell I got East whatever... definately South Weymouth....
Was wondering.... Has anyone owned/played an older (circa 1982 to 1984 est..) EMS/MVP/Buzz with the factory installed Bartolini Q (low pass) filter notched basses electronics???
1982 to 1986 was definately an experimental period for Mike and the Q filter electronics were extremely rare... wondering if he was going after what Alembic has in their basses... only thing aftermarket now I can find is produced by John East...
Just curious to see if anyone had this electronics set up installed and how it sounded...
1982 to 1986 was definately an experimental period for Mike and the Q filter electronics were extremely rare... wondering if he was going after what Alembic has in their basses... only thing aftermarket now I can find is produced by John East...
Just curious to see if anyone had this electronics set up installed and how it sounded...
I've had 4 basses made '86 and before and none of them had the EZQ package. That said, I don't know if it was specific to Mike's basses or something Bartolini offered since I found this link to a PDF of the circuit when I went looking for info on it. Based on the case candy I uploaded last week this circuit looks like it could be switched into and out of a basic Vol/Vol/Tone circuit, much like a Jazz Bass. If anyone wanted to try and put one in something they can still be found, though this one is gone.
AC Guitars sell a bass preamp with filters - i installed it on my 94 Pedulla Thunderbuzz 6 and gave it a review here: The Pedulla Club!
Its amazingly powerful, lets you really dial in a sound from crazy dub thump to mwah heaven.
My fellow Pedullists,
I think the topic of low volume on the earlier MVPs has come up in the past but my quick search didn't find the thread.
The volume of my '97 MVP is noticeably less than my '17 Buzz. It sounds fine, but I really have to crank the volume to make it as full as the later model. The MVP has the earlier preamp, the '17 has the MBNT. Is the difference due to the pickups or the pre-amp?
Thanks
I think the topic of low volume on the earlier MVPs has come up in the past but my quick search didn't find the thread.
The volume of my '97 MVP is noticeably less than my '17 Buzz. It sounds fine, but I really have to crank the volume to make it as full as the later model. The MVP has the earlier preamp, the '17 has the MBNT. Is the difference due to the pickups or the pre-amp?
Thanks
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Hello all, I recently bought a 1990 MVP with standard options.
I love the bass, it plays amazing but I’m lacking in tone.
I’m looking for advice on upgrading the electronics. Do the preamps go bad after a while? Should I be looking to change out everything or would just a preamp swap do the trick?
I would also love suggestions for a new preamp.
I love the bass, it plays amazing but I’m lacking in tone.
I’m looking for advice on upgrading the electronics. Do the preamps go bad after a while? Should I be looking to change out everything or would just a preamp swap do the trick?
I would also love suggestions for a new preamp.
Hi TheDavis504,
I have a 1990 Buzz which sounds like is very like your MVP. I had a similar experience with mine when I first got it, and it sat for a while because of it. Eventually, I put my "standard" strings on it (GHS Pressurewounds in my case) and I've been happy with it since.
I'd recommend trying a few sets of strings to see if you can get a tone you like from it before taking on the expense and effort of changing the electronics and/or preamp.
Also, check the setup, specifically pickup height. This will greatly affect the tone, even with good strings. When I had mine professional set up (along with a fretboard refinish), it made a big difference.
Oh, and "pics or it didn't happen"! We all want to see your new MVP!
(mine just for the fun...)
Hey everybody. Surfed TalkBass for years and never signed up. Finally did and found this group. I'll post my 4 beauties here.
#1: ...and a total tone machine is my mint ThunderBolt 5 from 1996. This bass is unreal. I still cant believe the overtones that pop out of it while chording and how good this one really is. My favorite bass ever.
#2: Buzz 4 string from 1987. My favorite bass ever.
#3: My MVP 5 from 1991. Custom Blue/Green burst. My favorite bass ever.
#4: A total Unicorn. This bass still has the hang tag on it. It's an entirely new bass in all respects from the mid 1990's. MVP 5. I'm it's only owner. Never gigged, never practiced on. No buckle rash, no dents, no polish marks. No anything. This bass is literally in factory condition. The strings were changed as a courtesy from a former Pedulla dealer when I procured it and I even have the original tapered factory Pedulla string set. The case is in new condition as well. The truss tool and allen wrench are in its original sealed bag. Never opened. A total Unicorn. I plugged it in once and played it for about 5 minutes tops. Nasty bass...and as a matter of fact...my favorite bass ever.
Also, I'm actively looking for a PentaBuzz...so if anybody's wanting to part with theirs...PM me. And no...I wont trade for the factory condition 5.
#1: ...and a total tone machine is my mint ThunderBolt 5 from 1996. This bass is unreal. I still cant believe the overtones that pop out of it while chording and how good this one really is. My favorite bass ever.
#2: Buzz 4 string from 1987. My favorite bass ever.
#3: My MVP 5 from 1991. Custom Blue/Green burst. My favorite bass ever.
#4: A total Unicorn. This bass still has the hang tag on it. It's an entirely new bass in all respects from the mid 1990's. MVP 5. I'm it's only owner. Never gigged, never practiced on. No buckle rash, no dents, no polish marks. No anything. This bass is literally in factory condition. The strings were changed as a courtesy from a former Pedulla dealer when I procured it and I even have the original tapered factory Pedulla string set. The case is in new condition as well. The truss tool and allen wrench are in its original sealed bag. Never opened. A total Unicorn. I plugged it in once and played it for about 5 minutes tops. Nasty bass...and as a matter of fact...my favorite bass ever.
Also, I'm actively looking for a PentaBuzz...so if anybody's wanting to part with theirs...PM me. And no...I wont trade for the factory condition 5.
I might assume you have checked and changed batteries. If that doesn't work, check the trim pot that's tucked away in the electronics cavity.
Thanks, yeah the batteries are new. The problem has come up one way or another here in the past, the difference in output between the old and newer models. Bart made some changes to the electronics along the way. It's not a major problem just a change, could be pups or the pre. I was curious if anyone tried an upgrade.
I jacked up the trim pot on the 97 and backed it off a hair on the 17. It helps to have a predictable volume level between the two.
Thank you very much fivestringdan. I appreciate this very much.
